According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 9,500 cases of Great Value apple juice have been recalled from Walmart stores nationwide due to potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic.

The recall affected 230 ml plastic bottles sold in six-packs.

The product’s manufacturer, Refresco Beverages US Inc., voluntarily initiated the recall because the apple juice contained more inorganic arsenic than “the amount established by industry guidelines,” the FDA said.

Organic arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and food. Inorganic arsenic can be more toxic than organic arsenic, and long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, skin lesions, and other health problems.

In 2023, the FDA adopted guidelines for manufacturers requiring apple juice to contain no more than ten parts per billion (ppb) of inorganic arsenic. The recalled products contained 13.2 ppb of inorganic arsenic.

The new apple juice recall has been classified as Class II by the FDA, meaning the likelihood of developing serious health problems after consuming the recalled product is low. However, Class II products can still pose a hazard and potentially cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”

It is unclear whether any illnesses are associated with the recalled products.

The Universal Product Code (UPC) for the recalled products is 0-78742-29655-5. The affected products have a best-before date of December 28, 2024.

The products were distributed to Walmart stores in the following states:

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Washington, DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• new York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Vermont
• West Virginia

In a statement to HealthA Walmart spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our customers is always our highest priority. We have removed this product from our affected stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”

Exposure to inorganic arsenic often occurs through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Growing food that is irrigated with contaminated water, industrial processes and tobacco consumption can also lead to exposure to inorganic arsenic.

The immediate symptoms of arsenic poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythm and tingling in the hands and feet.

A person exposed to inorganic arsenic for a long time may develop chronic arsenic poisoning, which can cause persistent sore throats and constant digestive problems, in addition to skin pigmentation disorders and even cancer.

If you have any of the recalled products at home, you should throw them away. If you have already drunk the apple juice, watch for unusual symptoms and contact a doctor if you experience any.

The latest recall is not the only one involving apple juice contaminated with arsenic: earlier this year, customers were warned that nearly 25,000 recalled cases of Martinelli apple juice could contain harmful levels of arsenic.